Scratch #96 is the second release in our Scratch Beer series to utilize an experimental hop variety in its recipe. We brewed this robust porter exclusively with a new hop known only by the numeric sequence “06300.” The prominent earthy attributes of this unique hop work nicely with the darker malts used to create this latest Scratch creation. The result is a smooth, mellow mouthfeel with an intriguing minty finish ensconced in plenty of roasted malt splendor.

Beer: Reviews & Ratings

A: Dark chestnut brown; opaque. Small head with very little retention. Lacy film lightly holds to the side of the glass with sipping, thin, and falling quickly.

S: Coffee, corn, malt, and chocolate- but not sweet- very Earthy.

T: Lighter than it looks. The initial taste is somewhat boring, but balanced. The hop and malts seem to wake up the tongue in a rounded way, but the flavor overall is just not as bold as I'd hoped for. It is also quite short - gone as soon as the liquid is swallowed. Don't expect the gulp to give you much more than what you get in the mouthfeel. That said- I love that this is not a sweet sweet porter. Subtle and earthy, just like it smells. The predominant taste is black coffee with a tiny bit of toffee (but still not sweet) and smoked corn. After swallow, the coffee aftertaste does build in your mouth - probably strong enough for someone to guess that is what you have been drinking.

M: Again, lighter body than it looks. I'd call it medium... Medium-light carbonation gives it some of its weight.

O: Though it lacks a bit in character and boldness, this is a great porter that is balanced, rounded, and very drinkable. Easy to pair with food. Love that it is earthy rather than overly sweet, like many of the characters out there. I would certainly have this again. (1,354 characters)

Tasted in multiple snifters at the brewery over the course of 40 minutes.

Fairly thick, opaque brown pour that carries along sudsy legs. The head is rather thin, and the hay-cream layer does not last. (A splashier pour will give a head that hangs on, though.) The look of this creature is my least favorite attribute...but the upside is that it improves with each phase of the experience.

The smell is very malty and nutty roasted coffee is rather obvious, alongside. Pouring for heavier foam makes more smoke rise from the tawny head. There's a touch of pinecone and sap to indicate that hops have played a meaningful role. Earth, menthol, and notes of clove and allspice are also present. Not very powerful are any of these latter scents, but it's pleasing to bury your nose in the glass. (Note that as the temperature comes up, scents of mesquite and carmelized banana become more prominent).

Flavors of smoked acidic coffee and grainy cocoa are right upfront, with the latter lingering later with each gulp. Wintergreen goes nicely with the tingle of adequate carbonation. It becomes metallic just a bit too soon--I was hoping to chew on oats and earth longer, but the sharp blade cuts it all short.

There is a surprising crispness to the feel of this dark brew. An almost bright kind of lift from the taste of lemon zest makes it sit high on the tongue and take time to collect filmy and chewy on the teeth where one would expect it to stick from the start. It dries the lips in a way that has me reaching for the glass to get more, but this is not ever going to be a thirst quencher.

It was such a treat to have this alongside Troegs' fondue from the tasting room snackbar--what a match with the combination of cheddar and bleu cheese! It was also marvelous with the pork bbq fries.I will admit that this experience enhances my overall impression of the scratch porter. But, I expect to enjoy this style with food, so I don't think it's an unfair enhancement to my overall rating. (Note, it was great taken home in a growler to accompany a cheesesteak, as well!)

This scratch would really be a great addition to Troegs' year round offerings; I think it's a bit better than Dead Reckoning. There's not much on the list that would make it redundant--the closest being JavaHead Stout, which is so much heavier and less drinkable. Wish it were going to stick around... (2,376 characters)

2-liter growler into a standard Troegs pint glass. Thanks again to Kirb for dropping this off for me. The brew appears brown with reddish clarity around the edges. A huge 3 finger froth of yellowish tan fades leaving spotty strings of lace sticking to the glass.

The aroma is roasty with notes of chocolate and earth. Some citrus, minerals and earth. There is a floral and fruity hop quality present which mingles nicely with the roast to break things up a bit. Overall a very nice bouquet.

The flavor is bitter like coffee mixed with some earthen aspect and plenty of chocolate flavoring from the roasted grain. Some citrus to fruity rinds even gets minorly floral and minty. Some trace mineral aspect towards the finish.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest level of carbonation. It is crisp and very easy drinking and overall a solid take on the style. I could drink a lot of this quite effortlessly. My only gripe is that I dont pick up much on this unique new experimental hop. I think it would be better showcased not hidden behind the roasted malt profile. However, all in all this was a very good scratch beer, leaps and bounds ahead of the last couple I have tried. (1,183 characters)

A - Pours deep, dark brown bordering on black with a nice half finger tall off white head, dissipating down to a light film, leaving spotty trails of lace down parts of the glass.

S - Smells of dark roasted malt, smoke, a bit of toffee and caramel, vanilla, chocolate, day old coffee and a dash of herbal hops. Decent enough nose with nothing really standing out from the crowd.

T - Starts off with a mix of dark chocolate malt and lots of smoke slowly giving way to hints of old coffee, dash of vanilla and toffee sweetness and a nice light herbal hop bite. Finish is very dark with plenty of roast and smokiness, lingering on the palate long after the finish. Much smokier than I though it was going to be.

M - Heavy body with moderate carbonation. Very roasty and smokey feel from start to finish. I think the feel is the best part of this one. Kind of a cross between dead reckoning porter and its smoked porter cousin.

O - Not really sure what kind of porter they were going for here so I am just adding it as an American Porter. Anyway, it is a decent enough porter but I have come to expect more from these. It's worth a shot but don't be expecting anything world class here. (1,217 characters)